History

Nothing is known of the criminal known as Ramulus
before he appeared in 1942. Using the nom du crime of "Nightshade", he
established a crime base in a magical forest in rural New York. Using local
thugs, he terrorized small towns in the area and those who countered him
were dispensed with by the mechanical plants in his forest. Where he obtained
the funds or the technology for these devices is unknown.

In 1942, Wesley Dodds and his ward, Sandy Hawkins,
were visiting a school chum of Sandy's. The child's parents had failed
to appear for the child's party and rumors abounded of a "haunted forest"
in the vicinity. As Sandman and Sandy, the two investigated and ran a gauntlet
of devices in the forms of monstrous vines and trees. Eventually reaching
the Nightshade, they destroyed the control apparatus, causing the robotic
plants to run amok. Most were destroyed but in the ensuing carnage, one
wrapped itself around Nightshade's throat and slung him into the flames,
apparently killing him. After rescuing the missing parents, Sandman and
Sandy abandoned the "haunted forest" to the authorities (World's Finest
#6).

Although the Nightshade was mortally injured, his
imminent demise was averted by the appearance of a Venusian mindworm. Using
alien technology, the worm who eventually became known as Mr. Mind healed
Nightshade and also genetically altered him, giving him real powers to
create vines and plants which he had used robotics for before. Nightshade
then took a new nom du crime, Ramulus to inaugurate his new life. Seeking
conquest of the Earth, Mr. Mind assembled a small group of minor villains
which he named the Monster Society of Evil. The group invaded JSA headquarters
and managed to subdue a couple of members before the more brutish Oom,
a foe of the Spectre, dispensed with Mind and took over the leadership
of the group. Oom proved an evil more unstable leader than Mr. Mind and
the villains eventually abandoned him. Presumably, Ramulus was sent to
prison but may have escaped (All-Star Squadron #51, 53-54).

Ramulus' activities after 1942 are unknown. His appearance
in a dream of the adult Sandy Hawkins (JSA #1) implies that he may
have had a more extended criminal career though this has never been proven.

Powers and Abilities: Ramulus originally controlled a series
of mechanical plants and forest creations. Whether he built these himself
or acquired them is unknown. After his contact with Mr. Mind, he had a
broader range of powers, including the ability to generate huge vines that
obeyed his mental commands. Ramulus appeared with green skin and other
alien features though whether these were actually his or appliqués
is unknown. If they were not his originally, how they were affected by
Mr. Mind is also unknown.

Weaknesses and Limitations: Ramulus appears to have mortal weaknesses
as any normal human but this has never been clarified.